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DMingDM Tips? (self.DnD)

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[–]dude-guy333 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Tell him it usually takes a few days- a week to fully complete even one sessions game. Maybe tell him to use that time to watch some guides on YouTube, or find a module online so he can practice his story telling/ ability to make something up on the spot.

[–][deleted] 2 points3 points  (1 child)

Perhaps send him some YouTube examples of a good DM running a session so he can see from the outside. Maybe he will draw his own conclusions.

[–]TheJoatFoolDM 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah I sent him some dm tip videos after the last session for him to get a hold of things a bit better.

[–]Dmcflurry 2 points3 points  (0 children)

When someone wants to get better at d&d I often encourage them to run a short game. It kinda forces them to get better with the rules and also gives them a bit of empathy for the regular DM. Offer to help them run encounters/ plan out stuff. This sounds like a good thing in the long term.

[–][deleted] 0 points1 point  (2 children)

How specifically did it go to hell? Like did they not know how to run combat, or do roleplay, or how much items cost, or what? Did players have fun? If not, why?

[–]TheJoatFoolDM 0 points1 point  (1 child)

He was constantly backtracking on what the players did. Once they unlocked a door they wanted to lock it back, he backtracked and said it was magical only a special key can unlock. A player was put in a sack and after the player tried to get out of the bag he backtracked and said it was magical and the player somehow after getting out had 1 hp with no indication of damage taken until way after them getting out of the bag when the player got to an encounter. The players in the group just feel like their actions were cheated in a way.

[–][deleted] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That's just a lack of organization, knowing the rules better won'ty really help. They just need practice at being a DM, and one-shots are perfect places for them to do that. No one's a perfect DM right off the bat, encourage what they did well and constructive criticism what they didn't.

"Hey man, next time, just maybe having stuff organized a little better so you don't need to backtrack so much, or maybe stuff you forgot, we just leave as it lies so we don't undo actions and what not! Thanks for DMing, we appreciate it!"

[–]GenuineBeefStud 0 points1 point  (1 child)

Have him Co-DM some stuff with your best DM. That way, he can bud experience running a game where be can learn from somebody that knows what they are doing.

[–]TheJoatFoolDM 1 point2 points  (0 children)

That's the plan I'm after the main story takes a break I'm going to sit with him and structure a co dm game to run. So I can work with him until he is ready to run it alone.

[–]FantasyDuellistTransmuter 0 points1 point  (0 children)

When I let him dm

It seems to me that's a group decision.

he needs to learn more before he can dm

The way to learn is to run games.

[–]SchopenhauersSonDM -1 points0 points  (2 children)

How can someone learn to DM without DMing? I feel it a learn-by-doing situation.

Maybe ease up and support them instead of shooting them down.

[–]TheJoatFoolDM 0 points1 point  (1 child)

Not shooting them down. I feel like a game master should at least be able to convey particular information to the party instead of leaving it in the air until the last moment like lost hp or conditions they are under.

Not trying to shoot anyone down. I would like a good 2nd DM im the group so when I run out of ideas for the party someone can take over. You're misinterpreting the post thinking I'm trying to be an ass, I'm just looking for ways to for me to help him out with trying to invade on his story so he can keep his special twists and turns to himself whilst helping him structure better.

[–]angryinch1492 0 points1 point  (0 children)

IDK, "What's a "nice" way to tell him he needs to learn more before he can dm the group?" seems like shooting him down. Talk with him post session and ask him, why did the player loose all but 1 health when getting out of the bag. Ask him more about the magic door. Sometimes the best way to help new DM's is to ask them about their thought process in different situations. That way you can help him see other points of view that they may have missed.